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ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi said on WEEI Boston Monday that he believes Jerod Mayo can become the best linebacker in football within two years.
After a disappointing 2009 season marred by injuries, Mayo led the NFL in tackles as a third-year player. The 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year made 175 stops, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Pat Willis and Jon Beason are the only linebackers with as much value in IDP leagues. As for becoming the NFL's best at his position, the 25-year-old Mayo will struggle to bypass Willis.
Source: Chris Price on Twitter
Jun 27, 1:42 PM

so at what point do we approach him for long term deal? Can we play the TAG game w/ him like we did w/ Mankins or does the new CBA screw us from doing so?

Love Tedy, but no. If we're talking strictly inside he's not bypassing Willis, if its' linebackers as a whole there are a good dozen or so that are significantly better.

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Did you watch this kid play the last three years?? I think he is top 3 all around LB's in football. The kid has great instincts, plays physical, and runs all over the field making plays. To boot he is a great leader and I think the most sure tackler in the whole NFL.

Other than Brady, name one player the Pats did a new deal wth with 2 years left on their deal. Can't think of any? Because there isn''t any. Unless the CBA rules change dramatically to make it far more advantageous to do so, I don't expect Mayo to buck that trend.

Other than Brady, name one player the Pats did a new deal wth with 2 years left on their deal. Can't think of any? Because there isn''t any. Unless the CBA rules change dramatically to make it far more advantageous to do so, I don't expect Mayo to buck that trend.

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Patriots players sometimes get a restructure with 1 year remaining on their rookie deals (see Seymour, Warren, Koppen and maybe Light), 2 years remaining, never happened. Given Seymour wasn't treated that respect, it's hard to imaging that Mayo will offered a new deal until 2012 at the earliest.

Patriots players sometimes get a restructure with 1 year remaining on their rookie deals (see Seymour, Warren, Koppen and maybe Light), 2 years remaining, never happened. Given Seymour wasn't treated that respect, it's hard to imaging that Mayo will offered a new deal until 2012 at the earliest.

Love Tedy, but no. If we're talking strictly inside he's not bypassing Willis, if its' linebackers as a whole there are a good dozen or so that are significantly better.

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First, Willis and Mayo are arguably the two best ILBs in the game right now, with some people probably still putting Lewis above one or both of them.

Second, Tedy was talking about the future, as "within 2 years" would seem to make clear. Two years could certainly see him pass Willis. I'm not saying he will, because both players should be in their primes at that point, but it's certainly possible. Meanwhile, players like Lewis are fading.

As for linebackers as a whole, I would be an interesting list to discuss. ESPN has him ranked at #6 overall:

so at what point do we approach him for long term deal? Can we play the TAG game w/ him like we did w/ Mankins or does the new CBA screw us from doing so?

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We certainly don't approach him sooner than next yr, IMO. It simply isn't a priority right now.

As far as this 'new CBA' you keep referring to (we aren't there yet, and it's debatable if they may have even taken steps backwards recently):

---Just pretend that it was the same as it ever was.....The majority of the larger issues are presumed to be the exact same. YES there will be a franchise tag, and YES the UFDA's will go back to 4 yrs.

I honestly am not sure why you are getting so worked up about these 'new' rules that you keep worrying about??! (not to sound nasty, that isn't my intention)

The main rules of UFDA's and the franchise tag will be the same--at least by all reports and accounts so far.

Yes, the team could franchise Mayo in February of 2013--if need be. He has played 3 years on a 5 year deal.

restructuring w/ 2 years left never happens you say. I agree, but if we hesitate he will desire a massive contract. Strategically locking up Mayo ASAP, say mid-way through 2012 is hugely important to the Patriots. Any ROOKIE contract player w/ a brain would gladly add an extension especially since New Contracts far outweigh the Rookie ones. These players if offered more money SOONER would be an automatic signing. I do NOT want to see Mayo walk in 2 years.

edit------- just saw post above me. It was not there before my submission

if you say the TAG is there we are fine. It had better not have been altered in its new form, whenever that may be? Keep the Tag the same.

Mayo is a very good LB, but there are other LBs I think are better than him ignoring scheme or OLB vs ILB;

Ware
Willis
Mathews
Wake
Beason
Harrison
Woodley
Greenway
Hali

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With the greatest of respect to your opinion all you've done is listed pass rushing OLB's who get sacks and added in Beason and Greenway who don't compare to Mayo's level of play. Woodley is effectively useless if he isn't getting sacks. Hali's really only had one excellent year coupled with other serviceable years. Including Cameron Wake on the list was good for a giggle. I enjoyed that one. That really leaves DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Patrick Willis & James Harrison you can make compelling arguments for being more productive/potentially better linebackers in the NFL.

Make no mistake, Jerod Mayo is a special talent and he's improving season by season. He's adding a different dimension to his game each season and I fully expect him to explode in the next few seasons leading this Patriots defense.